I WAS DRIVING OUR 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID UP THE DRIVEWAY AND AROUND TO THE BACK OF OUR HOME WHERE WE HAVE A REAR ENTRY GARAGE. AS I TURNED IN THE DRIVEWAY I STARTED TO SLOW/STOP THE CAR SO I COULD BACKUP TO PULL INTO THE GARAGE THE CAR ACCELERATED SUDDENLY STRIKING A SMALL TREE IN THE YARD DOING A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FRONT, LEFT FRONT WHEEL AND LEFT QUARTER PANEL. IT'S POSSIBLY TOTALLED. IT WAS AS IF A SOMETHING SIEZED THE CAR AND SUDDENLY PULLED IT FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. IF THE TREE HAD NOT STOPPED THE CAR I WOULD HAVE STRUCK THE HOUSE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I AM BRUISED AND SORE BUT OTHERWISE OK. I HAD BEEN RUNNING ON BATTERY THROUGH OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND UP THE DRIVEWAY BUT AFTER IT HAPPENED I NOTICED THE ENGINE WAS NOW RUNNING SO I DON'T KNOW IF THE SURGE WAS THE RESULT OF THE GAS ENGINE KICKING IN OR SOME OTHER SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM. *TT